K9 Nero – Muscatine, Iowa

Died 11/15/21

Handler – Sergeant Minnat Patel 

Muscatine K-9 officer passes away on Monday at age 9

The Muscatine Police Department K-9 Officer Nero passed away peacefully and unexpectedly on Monday, Nov. 15, the department and City of Muscatine announced Tuesday. “The Muscatine Police Department is mourning the loss of their K-9 Officer Nero,” Muscatine Police Chief Brett Talkington said in a Tuesday release. “Nero died unexpectedly on Monday and was nine-years-old. Nero served from October 15, 2014, to November 15, 2021, alongside his partner and handler, Sergeant Minnat Patel.”Nero began uniform patrol with Sergeant Patel on Oct. 15, 2014, after both received their certification through American Working Dog, a nationally recognized training curriculum. Throughout his career, Nero was instrumental in tracking down suspects and illegal drugs, while being one of the main attractions at various public events, the department release said. “Nero was a great dog and did some amazing things for the citizens of Muscatine and the Police Department,” Chief Talkington said.  “He will be deeply missed by all.” Nero, a male German Shepherd from Slovakia, was purchased by the MPD from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind., with a $15,000 grant from the Roy J. Carter Trust. Nero and Patel were selected to attend the six-week Dual-Purpose Narcotic Detector Dog Class, hosted by Vohne LIche Kennels, in September 2014. The training consisted of narcotic detection training (focused on marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine), along with track and apprehension (focused on building searches, open area searches, and tracking suspects).Nero and Patel worked side-by-side on patrol and during monthly training sessions designed to ensure both the canine and the handler stay sharp with their skills. Nero proudly wore badge #252 throughout his career.

 

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Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.
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